Carton



Sept. 27, 1966 R. H. GANZ 3,275,218

GARTON Filed d'une 26, 1964 INVENTOR ROBERT H.GANZ

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,275218 CARTON Robert H. Ganz, Bergenfielld, N..ll., assignor to Continental Can Company, llnc. New York, N.Y. a corporation cf New York Filed Inne 26, 1964, Set. N0. 378,346 17 Cla'uns. (Cl. 22940) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in oartons, and more particularly 10 a novel improvement in car-tons 01 the wrap-around type utilized in the packaging and carrying of cans.

Cans are conventionally packaged in two rows Within a wrap-ar-ound type carton which has open ends. In order to retain the cans Within the carton, a suitable interlock between at least the endmost cans in the carton must be provided. Many types of interlocks have been devised in the past, including a locking tab struck from the carton panel opposing an end of a can with the locking tab projeeting into the recessed end of an associated can and engaging the seam of the can to prevent rnovement of the can out =of the carton. While such locking tabs have proved to be effective, they have had two major deficiencies. In the first place, if the locking tab lies too flush with the associated carton panel, it Will not properly engage the seam of an associated can, and the can will slide passed the locking tab. Secondly, since the oartons are oftentimes mechanically applied to the cans, and in view of the fact -that the locking tabs are pressed out of the plane of the carton panel and reversely folded With respect thereto only imrnediately before the carton is applied to the cans, oftentimes the locking tab has a tendency to reverse its position and not remain folded beneath the carton panel in the necessary position when the carton is applied -to the cans.

Inview of the foregoing, it is the prirnary objeot of this inverition to provide a connection between a free end of a locking tab and the associated carton panel whereby the loeking tab is automatically retained in its folded position and with the eentral portion of the locking tab projecting away from the carton panel to insure the engarnement of the locking tab with a can seam.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel connection between a locking tab and a carton panel which may be readily formed utilizing automatic equipment.

Yet another object of this invention is t provide a novel connection between the free end of a locking tab and an assoeiated carton panel wherein the free end of the locking tab may be interlocked with the carton panel in predetermined relationship thereto to assure both the retention in place of the locking tab and also the eentral bowing or projecting of the locking tab away from the earton panel I0 assure the proper projeetion of the locking tab for engagement With a can searn.

A funther object of this invention is to provide a novel interlock between a locking tab of a carton and an associated carton panel wherein the forming of the connection between the locking tab and the carton panel requires no additional material and the necessary shaping of the lock ing tab and the carton panel may be aflected at the same tirne the carton panel is blanked out.

With the abo-ve and other objects in view Ihat will hereinafter appear, the natura of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a carton formed in accordance With this invention, and shows generally the details of the top carton panel in which there is in- 3,2752 18 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 corporated the locking tab arrangement which is the subject of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific details of two of the locking tabs and the relationship thereof With respectto two transversely aligned cans disposed within the carton of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 33 0f FIGURE 2 and shows more specifically the details of "the locking flaps and the relationship thereof With respeet to cans.

FIGURE 4 is an internal perspective view of the upper pontion of the carton cf FIGURE 1 as viewed from one end thereof and shows the specific details of the locking tab as its appears prior to its engagement with a can.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the carton blank before the locking tab is folded to an operative position and shows the general details .of the zarten blank in the vicinity of the locking hab.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 a eanton incorporating the spirit of this invention, the carton being generally referred to by the numeral 10. The carton 10 is of the wrap-around type and is of a one-piece construction. The illustrated carton includes a top panel 11, a pair of identical side panels 12 and 13, and a pair of bottom panels 14 and 15. The bottom panels 14 and 15 are suitably secured together, prefenably by means of interlocking tabs, t0 form the bottom of |the carton 10. T he illustrated carton 10 is intended for receiving six cans which are disposed in tw0 rows of three cans each. Hewever, the invention is not limited as to the size -of the earton or the number of cans disposed therein.

The carton 10 is illustrated as having suitable means for interlocking engaigernent with cans disposed therein, the cans being generally referred to by the numeral 16.

Since the bottom interlocking means -of the carton 10 do not form a specific part of this invention, they will not be described in furher detail here.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be seen that each can 16 includes a can body 17 which has the upper end thereof closed by a can end 18. Bach can end 18 includes a recessed end panel 19 and is secured to the can body 17 by means of a conventional double seam 20. The can ends 18 are illustrated as being of the plain Iype which requires the use of a can opener to dispense the contents thereof. However, as will be explained in more detail hereinafiter, this invention is also particularly adapted for -use with cans :of the type having easy opening ends which include a tear out portion and a projeoting pull tab.

The end panel 11, as is best shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, is provided With three tabs 21 which are struck from the end panel 11 in alignmenrt with the transverse centers of the cans 16. The tabs 21 are hingedly C011- nected to the ren1ainder of the top panel 11 along the longitudinal center line thereof and each tab 21 projects down between itwo adjacent cans 16 and is clamped between the adjacent seams 20 thereof. The tabs 21 prevent the can seams of transversely adjacent cans fro-m corning into contact with one another.

The end panel 11 is also provided witl1 a loeking tab, generally referred to by the numeral 22 for each of the four endmost ones of the cans 16. The locking tabs 22 are offset inwardly towards the center of the carton 10 frorn the transversely aligned =centers of the cans. The locking tabs 22 are reversely folded in underlying relation to the top panel 11 and are received Within the recessed ends 18 of the cans 16. Bach locking tab 22 en- -gages the *seam 20 cf an associated can and loeks the same against rnovement out through the adjacent open end of the carton 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 in particular, it Will be seen that there is illustrated the carton in its blank state. The top panel 11 is provided With a generally C- shaped cut 23 at the desired position 0f each locking tab 22. The C-shaped cut 23 defines the outline 0f both the locking tab 22 and a projecting ear 24. The locking tab 22 i*s integrally connected to the remainder of the top panel 11 along a fold line 25 which extends between the free ends of the C-shaped cut 23. The locking tab 22 also has a free edge 26 from which the ear 24 projects.

It is to be noted that the locking tab 22 has one straight side edge 27 and one arcuate side edge 28 which are disposed in generally -converging relation With the free edge 26 of the locking tab 22 bridging between the side edges of the lockin-g tab 22 remote from the fold line 25. The ear 24, which projects from the free edge 26, is so positioned relative to the free edge 26 whereby portions of the free edge 26 are disposed -on opposite sides of the ear 24 and define stop shoulders. The locking tab 22 is also provided with a transverse fold line 29, which is parallel to the fold line 25 and t0 the free edge 26. The purpose of the fold line 29 Will be described in more detail hereinafter. T he top panel 11 is provided With a second, rnuch smaller, C-shaped cut 30 for each of the locking tabs 22 With the C-shaped cut 30 ripposing the C- s-haped cut 23. The C-shaped cut 30 defines a narrow tongue 31 which may be deflected from the plane of the top panel 11 t0 define an opening 32 in the top panel, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The narrow tongue 31 also serves as a guide for the movement of the ear 24 through the opening 32.

Prior to the forming of a package of eans 16 with the carton 10, the locking tab s 22 are struck from the plane of the top panel 11 and reversely folded beneath the top panel 11. Bach ear 24 is engaged with an as-sociated tongue 31 and passed through the associated opening 32 in the top panel 11. The.locking tabs 22 are now in position for locking a can in its predetermined relative position within the carton 10.

It is to be noted that the C-shaped cut 30 has that portion thereof which is parallel to the fold line 25 disposed closer to the fold line 25 than is the free edge 26 cf the locking tab 22. Thus, when the -locking tab 22 is reversely folded cut bf the plane of the carton top panel 11 into underlying relation t0 the top panel, and the ear 24 is passed into the opening 32 which results when the tongue 31 is forced up cut of the plane of the top panel 1'1, the free edge 26 Will strike the underside of the t0p panel 11'and limit the rnovement of the ear 24 into the opening 32 prior to the tirne that the locking tab 22 becomes flush With the top panel 11. Thus, the central portion 0f the locking tab 22 Will project away from the underside of the top panel 11. It is to be noted that when the ear 24 is being inserted into the opening 32, the locking tab 22 will be folded along the transverse fold -line 29 to a definite V-shaped cross section.

As the ear 24 enters into the.opening 32, the V-shaped cross section cf the locking tab 22 will become shallower until it assurnes the.cross section shown in FIGURE 2.

lt Will be readily apparent that once the locking tab 22 has been folded to its operative position and its ear 24 positioned Within the opening 32, it Will remain in this osition. Since the central portion of the locking tab 22 projects away from the plane of the top panel .11, the curved edge 28 0f the locking tab 22 will be spaced away from the underside of the top panel 11 and will be free to engage the inner Wall of the searn 20. It is to be noted frorn FIGURE 3 that the curved edge 28 is configurated in accordance with the curvature of the seam 20.

At this tirne it is pointed cut that the specific locking tab eonstruction of the carton 10 is particularly adaptaole for use With cans of the easy open.ing type. In order to facilitate the opening of these cans, they are provided With pull tab. If the locking tabs 22 are not fixedly retained in place prior to the positioning of the top panel 11 over the cans, the locking tabs are apt t0 engage and snag the pull tabs of the cans and thus interfere With the p0sitioning 0f the carton 10 on the cans. Thus, the retention 0f the locking tabs 22 in relatively out-of-the-way positions is extremely important with respect to easy Opening cans.

Although the locking tabs 22 have been illustrated and described as being 0n the top panel only of the carton 10, it is to be understood that the locking tabs 22 are not limited to the specific carton construction shown in the drawings. If desired, the can interlocking rneans at the bottom of the carton may be changed and may include locking tabs like the locking tabs 22.

Al-though only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described therein, it is to be nnderstood that minor variations may be made in the carton construction within the spirit and scope 0f the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I clairn:

1. In a carton having an interior for receiving cans, a carton panel adapted to oppose ends of cans, a can locking tab struck from said carton panel and hingedly connected thereto along one edge of said locking tab, said lockingtab being reversely folded relative to said carton panel into the interior of the carton and having means for reception within a recessed can end and engagernent With a seam of the can to lirnit rnovement of the can relative to the carton, and rneans entirely within the limits of said carton panel and independent of a can locking said locking tab in its folded position.

2. In a carton having an interior for receiving cans, a carton panel adapted to oppose ends of cans, a can locking tab struck from said carton panel and hingedly connected thereto along one edge of said locking tab, said locking tab being reversely folded relative to said carton panel into the interior of the carton and having =rneans for reception Within a recessed can end and engagement with a seam of the can to limit movernent of the can relative to the carton and eooperating interlocking means on said carton panel inwardly of the edges thereof and said locking tab locking said locking tab in its folded position.

3. In a carton having an interior for receiving cans, a carton panel adapted to oppose ends of cans, a can locking tab struck from said carton panel and hingedly connected thereto along one edge of said locking tab, said locking tab being reversely folded relative to said carton panel into the interior of the carton and having means for reception w.ithin a reeessed can end and engagement With a seam of the can to limit movement of: the can relative to the carton, and a projecting ear on said locking tab positioned in an opening forrned entirely in said carton panel and locking said locking tab in its folded position.

4. The carton of clairn 3 wherein said carton panel opening is defined by a narrow tongue partially struck from said carton panel in the direction of ear insertion and forrning a ramp for leading said ear into said carton panel opening.

ends of cans, a can locking tab struck from said carton panel and hingedly eonnected thereto. along one edge of said locking tab, said locking tab being reversely folded relative to said carton panel and having means for reception within a recessed can end and engagement with a seam cf the can to lirnit movement of the can relative to the carton, and a projecting ear 011 said locking tab positioned in an opening formed entirely in said carton panel and locking said locking tab in its folded position, said carton panel opening being defined by a narrow tongue partially struck frorn said carton panel in the direction of ear insertion and forming a ramp for leading said ear into said carton panel opening, and said ear projecting from a free edge of said locking tab with said free edge defining a stop shoulder engaged With said carton panel adjacent said carton panel opening to lirnit the movement of said ear into said carton panel opening.

7. The carton of claim 3 wherein said ear projects from a free edge of said locking tab with said free edge defining a stop shoulder engaged with said carton panel adja-cent said carton panel opening to lirnit the movement of said ear into said carton panel opening, and the distance between said one edge and said free edge is greater than the spacing of said carton panel opening from said one edge with said locking tab centrally projecting away from said carton panel to insure locking engagement thereof With a can searn.

8. The carton of clairn 7 wherein said lo.cking tab is transversely folded intermediate said one edge and said free edge generally parallel thereto.

9. In a carton f0r cans, a carton panel adapted to oppose ends of cans, a can locking tab struck frorn said carton panel and hingedly connected thereto along one edge of said locking tab, said locking tab being reversely folded relative to said .carton panel for reception within a recessed can end and engagement with a seam of the can to limit movement cf the can relative to the carton, and means locking said locking ta'b in its folded position, said locking tab centrally projecting away from said carton panel to insure locking engagernent of said locking tab with a can seam.

10. In a earton for cans, a carton panel adapted to engage the ends of cans, said carron panel having a generally C-shaped cut therein defining a can locking tab With a projecting ear; said locking tab being integrally connected to said carton panel along a line extending between the ends of said C-shaped cut, and an opening formed entirely in said carton panel aligned with said ear and 011 the side of said line remote frorn said locking tab for receiving said ear, said opening being defined by a second generally C-shaped cut opposing the first mentioned C-shaped cut and defiining a tongue adapted to be deflected by said ear.

11. The carton of claim 2 wherein said interlocking means includes a peripheral edge poriton of said locking tab and a C-shaped cut in said carton panel.

12. The carton of claim 2 wherein said interlocking means includes a peripheral edge portion of said locking tab and a C-shaped cut in said carton panel defining a tongue projecting frorn said carton panel.

13. A carton for cans, said carton comprising top and bottorn panels, side walls between said top and bottom panels, said top and bottom panels and said side Walls defining an open interior for the reception of cans with said top and bottom panels bein g adapted to oppose ends of cans, a can locking tab located substantially entirely Within the interior of said earton and struck from one of said carton panels and hingedly connected thereto along one edge of said locking tab, said locking tab being reversely folded inwardly of and in underlying relation to said one panel and into the interior 0f said carton, said locking tab having rneans for reception within a recessed can end in engagement With a seam of a can to limit movement of a can relative to the carton, rneans entirely Within the limits of said carton panel and independent of a can locking said locking tab in its folded osition, and said last mentioned means including means projecting from the interior of said carton outwardly thereof through said one carton panel.

14. In a blank for forming cartons for cans, a carton panel having interior and exterior surfaces with said interior surface being adapted t0 engage the ends.of cans, said carton panel having a generally C-shaped cut therein defining a can locking tab with a projecting ear, said lockir1g tab being integrally .com1ected to said carton panel a.long fold line means extending between the ends of said C-shaped cut and being parricularly adapted for the reverse folding of said can locking tab towards said interior surface, an opening formed through and entirely within said carton panel aligned With said ear and 011 the side of said fold line means remote from said locking tab for receiving said ear and forming a mechanical interlock between said can locking tab and said panel to retain said can locking tab in a reversely folded position, and said can locking tab having means for reception within a recessed can end and engagement With a seam of a can to limit movement of a can relative to said panel.

15. The carton panel of clairn 14 wherein said ear projects from -a free edge of said can locking tab with said free edge defining a stop shoulder for limiting the movement of said ear into said opening.

16. The carton panel of elaim 14 wherein said ear projects frorn a free edge of said can locking tab with said free edge defining a stop shoulder for limiting the movement of said ear into said opening, and said stop shoulder is spaced from said fold line means a distance exceeding the maximurn spacing of said opening from said fold line means.

17. The carton panel 0f claim 14 wherein said locking tab has Iransverse intermed iate fold line means for facilitating the folding of said locking tab to a shallow V cross section opening towards said carton panel interior surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1408814 3/1922 List 206-4526 2768741 10/ 1956 Currie 206 2790590 4/1957 Toensrneier 206-65 X 3128034 4/ 1964 Weiss 220 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examz'ner.

J. F. MCNULTY, D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN A CARTON HAVING AN INTERIOR FOR RECEIVING CANS, A CARTON PANEL ADAPTED TO OPPOSE ENDS OF CANS, A CAN LOCKING TAB STRUCK FROM SAID CARTON PANEL AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED THERETO ALONG ONE EDGE OF SAID LOCKING TAB, SAID LOCKING TAB BEING REVERSELY FOLDED RELATIVE TO SAID CARTON PANEL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CARTON AND HAVING MEANS FOR RECEPTION WITHIN A RECESSED CAN END AND ENGAGEMENT WITH A SEAM OF THE CAN TO LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE CAN RELATIVE TO THE CARTON, AND MEANS ENTIRELY WITHIN THE LIMITS OF SAID CARTON PANEL AND INDEPENDENT OF A CAN LOCKING SAID LOCKING TAB IN ITS FOLDED POSITION. 